Life is funny how it can deviate drastically from what you originally planned. Jarred and I realize that we really don't know what tomorrow is going to hold, and that our well laid out plans can change quickly and dramatically. We have seen this play out in our lives specifically related to growing our family.We had a typical plan for having children. Lets call our initial plan, "Plan A." "Plan A" was to grow our family the old fashioned way by having biological children. It just made sense... we want children, lets have some. Most families out there utilize this same plan. But due to miscarriages we found that "Plan A" was not looking so good for us. We quickly switched to "Plan B" which was Adoption. And I am so happy that we got to utilize "Plan B." What is amazing is that "Plan B" has been even better than I imagined "Plan A" would be.

Also in the middle of our adoption process for Levi we had a "Plan C" begin. We brought Leanna (a teenager from our Youth Group) into our home and she has become family as well. We love Leanna dearly and she is like a daughter to us. Leanna has since moved out of our home and is living in Houston, Texas serving the Lord by working with an organization called Master's Commission. We are very proud of her! Because of how much we love Levi and Leanna our eyes have been opened to the fact that what used to be "Plan B" is now our "Plan A." We WANT to adopt more children. And even if we happened to get pregnant and have a biological child, we still want to adopt more children. "Plan A" has been replaced in our lives and adoption is a strong love and desire of ours. If I knew then what I know now, adoption would have been our "Plan A" all along!So moving forward we are learning to walk out, yet again, how what we plan doesn't always occur and that is usually a good thing. Jarred and I knew that we wanted to adopt more children, but we thought it would be another Domestic Newborn Adoption (like Levi) or International Adoption. Both of those options are wonderful. However, we didn't feel a strong direction as to which of those options we should pursue. So we have been waiting for guidance from the Lord. That is the reason why I haven't posted lately, because I didn't know what to blog about. I had no idea what was coming next. Well that direction and guidance came and it was not Domestic Newborn or International Adoption. Surprisingly enough to us, we have felt led to pursue Domestic Adoption through the Foster System. We have felt a calling to care for the orphans that live in our midst. And we know that there are children out there who are meant to be ours even if they weren't born to us. We are on a mission to bring these children into our home and love them with all that we have to give. Bring on the new and improved "Plan A!"If you are like me, you probably don't know much about adopting through the foster system. We are getting a crash course. To adopt through Indiana's foster system we have to do the following steps:1) Complete Foster and Adoption Training (Four classes total)2) Complete a Home-study (which includes background checks and fingerprinting)3) Approval by a DCS Board4) Officially match waiting children with our family based on their history and our Home-study5) Start the process of adopting the children that are meant to be ours and bring them into their new forever home6) Finalize the adoption legallyThis process takes anywhere from 3-6 months. We have completed our training in Step 1. We are preparing for our Home-study and background checks in Step 2. As we started this process one of the DCS staff made a statement that stuck with me. "Adoption is a journey rather than a destination." Will you join us in this journey? We aren't asking for financial support because adopting through the foster system is not a financial burden on the adopting family. however, we are asking for your love, support and prayers. We desperately want and need those things from our friends and family. We know that we are surrounded by the most amazing people, and that we can't wait to bring home our children for you to love on them as well.

On an entirely unrelated note, here are some random snow pictures now that it has melted:

First things first... HAPPY BIRTHDAY hope you are having a super blessed day!
I was a little behind on reading your blog and just read where Erica passed away. I truly am sorry for your loss. But I am also very excited that y'all are going with your new plan "A". God always has plan A in mind. I will be praying for you as God opens your hearts and your home to new family members.. I always have room for new cousins! Love and miss y'all!

Reply

Jessica

04/02/2014 21:36

Wonderful news!

Reply

Robyn Joyner

04/06/2014 13:59

Yay, congrats on the guidance! And seriously do not hesitate to call Jon is you have ANY questions about the Foster Care System (he does check Facebook so text or call him). He knows the system inside and out and is a great advocate for Foster Families. Love you!